I took one of the bowl gaskets out, and it looks like it is held in with glue of a sort. Does anyone know what it is so I can put it back in?

 

I never 'glued' anything in my bike. I'd advise against it as well. There was no mention of using anything on the bowl gaskets prior to reassembly in my manual.

You might use a thin film of grease or oil there. But definitely not an adhesive.

 

it is just that there is some film on the bowl surface that looks like old glue of sorts, and I am wondering what they use, because the gasket has to stick within that gasket surface, and being old it does not and could get pinched.

 

carbs/injectors dont use any 'glues'. Like Kuroshio said a dab of grease or vasoline.

 

Well, there is some dried out yellow stuff on the bowl surface where the gasket goes, so I think that may have been glue, if it is not, does anyone know what it is?

 

Residue from the rubber breaking down over the years due to exposure to heat, gas and pressure? It's not a glue, trust us.

And the gasket doesn't 'stick' to the surface. There's a groove in which the gasket sits. And then pressure from the bowl cover holds it in place.

 

Ok, just seems like it shrunk a little is all, but I think if I do a rubber treatment with some silicone, and then be careful it will still work since it didn't crack.

 

+1 or someone who didnt know better used glue. Theres not a glue out that holds up in continue use in gas.

The most you need is a dab of grease to hold the gaskets in place during assembly. And thats not needs most times.

 

I agree with dyracuse. I have no doubt that they used some sort of adhesive to hold the bowl gasket in place during assembly. I had the same residue in my wifes F3. After removing the gasket the residue was tough to get out. Sometimes as I'd pull on a piece it was sticking to the groove just like rubber cement. You can say what you want, but it was on there. And it's not the breakdown of the old gasket.

Now, I don't think you need to glue the new one in place. I would replace the old ones if you've pulled the old ones out. You're probably not going to get a good seal on them if you try to re-use them. I replaced mine and have taken them apart since with no leaks or problems.